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-자. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
-자, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
-자 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
-자 you have here. The definition of the word
-자 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
-자, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Korean
Pronunciation
| Romanizations |
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| Revised Romanization? | ja |
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| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | ja |
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| McCune–Reischauer? | cha |
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| Yale Romanization? | ca |
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Etymology 1
Sino-Korean suffix; see the main entry.
Suffix
자 • (-ja)
- See the entry at 자(者) (ja, “person”).
Etymology 2
From Middle Korean 져〮 (Yale: -cyé).
Suffix
자 • (-ja)
- (informal) let's
노래를 다 같이 부르자!- Norae-reul da gachi bureuja!
- Let us all sing a song!
See also
Etymology 3
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “since we have 자마자 as another form and ㄹ is gone, shouldnt 자 be a lot older?”)
Suffix
자 • (-ja)
- (formal) as: Suffix attached to verbs expressing that one action happened after another finished, which also sometimes acts as a reason for the following action.
집을 나오자 비가 내리기 시작했다.- Jib-eul naoja bi-ga naerigi sijakhaetda.
- As I left the house, it started to rain.
여름이 오자 날씨가 더워졌네요.- Yeoreum-i oja nalssi-ga deowojeonneyo.
- As/Since the summer came the weather has become hotter.
Usage notes
- Generally, the suffix is seen to be the less intense, less instantaneous version of 자마자 (-jamaja).
See also